Zephaniah 1:16

“A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, etc.] The trumpet of the enemy, sounding the alarm of war against the fenced cities of Judea, which were taken before Jerusalem; calling and gathering the soldiers together, and animating them to the assault of them; and blowing them in a way of triumph; and as expressive of victory, having got possession of them: and against the high towers; or “corners”f22; towers being usually built corner-wise, and full of corners, and on the corners of walls of cities; sometimes these signify princes, magistrates, and great men, (<381004>Zechariah 10:4).”

“the trumpet--namely, of the besieging enemy (Amo 2:2). alarm--the war shout [MAURER]. towers--literally "angles"; for city walls used not to be built in a direct line, but with sinuous curves and angles, so that besiegers advancing might be assailed not only in front, but on both sides, caught as it were in a cul-de-sac; towers were built especially at the angles. So TACITUS describes the walls of Jerusalem [Histories, 5.11.7].”

“A day of the trumpet and alarm - o that is, of the loud blast of the trumpet, which sounds alarm and causes it. The word is especially the shrill loud noise of the trumpet (for sacred purposes in Israel itself, as ruling all the movements of the tabernacle and accompanying their feasts); then also of the “battle cry.” They had not listened to the voice of the trumpet, as it called them to holy service; now they shall hear “the voice of the Archangel and the trump of God” 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Against the high towers - Literally, “corners” , and so “corner-towers.” This peculiarity describes Jerusalem, whose walls “were made artificially standing in a line curved inwards, so that the flanks…”

“day: Isa 59:10; Jer 4:19, Jer 4:20, Jer 6:1, Jer 8:16; Hos 5:8, Hos 8:1; Amo 3:6; Hab 1:6-10; Hab 3:6 and against: Psa 48:12, Psa 48:13; Isa 2:12-15, Isa 32:14 Zephaniah 1:17”